CPD framework

The Continuing Professional Development framework ensures real estate salespersons have the skillsets and critical competencies to carry out their duties effectively.

Last updated 2 April 2026

The Council for Estate Agencies’ (CEA) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework ensures real estate salespersons (RESs) have the skillsets and critical competencies to carry out their duties effectively.

CPD framework

A revised CPD framework (2026 framework) came into effect from 1 January 2026, developed as part of Project ADEPT to review the entire CPD ecosystem.

Under the 2026 framework, the CPD requirement for each CPD cycle has been enhanced for both Key Executive Officers (KEOs) and RESs.

2026 framework

Fulfil minimum 16 training hours:

12 hours must be from Structured Learning (SL) activities of which four hours must be from “Prescribed Essentials” (PE); and
Four hours from Self-directed Learning (SDL) for each CPD cycle.

Note

New RESs are exempted from fulfilling their CPD requirement in their first CPD cycle but must comply from their second cycle onwards.

2026 CPD framework

The 2026 CPD framework is based on training hours and recognises more forms of CPD activities, allowing for more diverse and in-depth professional development opportunities.

The 2026 framework comprises two key components:

1. Structured Learning (SL) component

The SL component comprises courses in Professional Competencies in current framework and a mandatory Prescribed Essential CPD training requirement for the industry.

2. Self-directed Learning (SDL) component

The SDL enables RESs to have flexibility in their learning process and take up more forms of learning activities that can be recognised for registration renewal.

Structured Learning (SL) [Minimum 12 hours]		Self-directed Learning (SDL)[Minimum four hours]
Prescribed Essentials (PE) [Minimum four hours]	Professional Competencies (PC)[Minimum eight hours]	Generic Competencies Plus (GC Plus) [Minimum four hours]
Courses accredited by CEA		Course attendance approved by RESs’ KEOs
Specific PE topic Laws, Regulations, and Ethics	Laws and regulations Property markets Other related real estate knowledge	SkillsFuture Singapore’s 16 Critical Core Skills Other knowledge and skills relevant to estate agency work
The PE categories will be specified by CEA each year. For the 2026 CPD cycle, the PE topic will be Prevention of Money Laundering, Proliferation Financing and Terrorism Financing (PMLPFTF).	Please refer to Professional Development Reference Guide for more information on the skills and competencies relevant to different job roles and areas of specialisation in the real estate agency industry.

CPD guidelines for estate agents and real estate salespersons

CEA has launched the new CPD guidelines for estate agents and real estate salespersons, effective from 1 January 2026. You may refer to the following for more information:

2026 Continuing Professional Development Framework (PDF, 157KB)
CPD Guidelines for Estate Agents and Salespersons (PDF, 144KB)

CPD cycle

Each CPD cycle is from 1 January to 31 December every year. This aligns the CPD cycle to the RES registration validity period.

CPD requirements

Existing KEOs, Practising Directors/ Partners, and RESs who wish to renew their registration must fulfil the requirement in Table 1.

Table 1: CPD requirements for existing KEOs, RESs, and practising directors/ partners

From 1 January 2026 (2026 CPD Cycle onwards)

Fulfil minimum 16 training hours:

12 hours must be from Structured Learning (SL) activities of which four hours must be from “Prescribed Essentials” (PE); and
Four hours from Self-directed Learning (SDL) for each CPD cycle.

You can check your CPD fulfilment status via CEA’s CPD System (CPDS).

For returning RESs

KEOs, Practising Directors/ Partners, and RESs who wish to return to the real estate agency industry after leaving must fulfil the requirement in Table 2.

Table 2: CPD requirements for KEOs, RESs, and practising directors/partners whose registrations have lapsed for up to two years

Individuals in this group are required to fulfil the requirement for each cycle as if they were still registered with CEA, before applying for registration.

Fulfil minimum 16 training hours:

12 hours must be from Structured Learning (SL) activities of which four hours must be from “Prescribed Essentials” (PE); and
Four hours from Self-directed Learning (SDL) for each CPD cycle.

Individuals who have achieved some CPD credits in 2024 and 2025, and are planning to return in 2026 and 2027 can check on the number of SL, PE and SDL training hours they need to fulfil to return to the industry by logging into their account in the new CEA’s CPD System (CPDS).

For SL courses, individuals should check with their course providers to ensure that they have uploaded their attendance records to the CPD System (CPDS).

For SDL courses, individuals can approach the KEO of the estate agent they are joining with supporting documents of course completion, so that the KEO can verify and approve the CPD training hours.

Individuals can check their CPD fulfilment status via CEA’s CPDS.

KEOs, RESs, and practising directors/ partners whose registrations have lapsed for more than two years are required to pass the real estate salesperson (RES)/ real estate agency (REA) examination before applying for registration.

KEOs are to ensure that their RESs comply with the CPD requirements. KEOs will need to assess the relevance of activities undertaken by their RESs and approve CPD courses under Self-directed Learning.